Autistic NYC boy's death prompts U.S. Justice Dept. to back tracking plan

An example of a tracking bracelet given by Westchester County to Alzheimer's patients.

Following the death of an autistic teenager who walked away from his New York City school last year, the U.S. Department of Justice said Wednesday it will fund voluntary tracking devices for children with autism or other conditions that put them at risk for fleeing their caregivers.

The family of Avonte Oquendo and Sen. Charles Schumer of New York had called last weekend for legislation to provide such GPS tracking devices. On Wednesday, Schumer and the Justice Department said existing grant funds would be used.

Oquendo disappeared from his Queens school Oct. 4; the 14-year-old's remains were found in the East River this month.

Schumer said the program would be voluntary and would be run by local law enforcement entities.

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Autistic NYC boy's death prompts U.S. Justice Dept. to back tracking plan

Following the death of an autistic teenager who walked away from his New York City school last year, the U.S.

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